Right, so maybe it's (the end of) Summer and I'm splitting my time between tanning sessions in Portugal and pretending to be a grown up in London. And I may have been at the beach for two weeks, which is not the best place to write blog posts. But that doesn't mean work outfit inspiration is gone! I'm back now and every day I post a photo and/or a little video on my Instagram stories to show what I'm wearing. Yes, I know, insta stories is so millennial but so am I! #girlboss #snapchatisSOslow

This to say that if you still don't check your insta stories and you still don't follow me on Instagram, you should. My project of becoming a real girlboss at work means I don't have huge amounts of time to write posts here every week but my Instagram never sleeps!

Follow me @mariana.oliveiralima or search for #officecatwalk and you'll see me sailing there. And don't forget, insta stories are ON.

Being a midget, I never really thought I could pull off the pencil skirt look. It's just one of those things that seems like it was invented for tall people, unfair world really. But actually, ever since I started paying attention to my work looks, I found one or two pencil skirts that really work - even with flats! I mean yes, if you want to achieve the Rachel Zane perfect look (if you've never watched Suits, go on Netflix NOW!) go find those lost stilettos at the back of your wardrobe but if you're trying to play it cool, here's a combo that worked for me.

I recently started going to a lot more client meetings in the middle of a working day. Most of them being pitch meetings that involve presenting, it goes without saying I need to feel my most girlboss to get through it alive. It's getting a lot better to be fair, I no longer get belly aches or feel sick all day but I would be lying if I said it's not a little nerve wrecking still.

I don't know about you guys but what I wear tends to influence my girlboss scale for the day and you know I like some crazy shoes to go with it. Even though I'm usually pro flats, I realised I didn't really have any heels I could actually wear for an important meeting without killing my feet or falling on my face.

A little stop by And Other Stories this weekend left me a lot poorer and a LOT happier. A few affordable ideas below from one of my favourite shops of all times. Enjoy!

Because I don't usually go for statement pieces - as I don't like to repeat them! - accessories are key to my office looks. And scarves are probably my favourite accessory of all times. Slight obsession really, if we're being honest here. I absolutely love the silk scarves full of colour and patterns from Bimba y Lola, the skinny ones from ASOS and, lately, Zara's tiny little ones, full-on flight attendant mode. They can make a white shirt/t-shirt look a lot more interesting but they can also complement a stripy top or trousers really well - go crazy on prints & mix them all up like there's no tomorrow.

Ok so we already dress appropriately during the week - no excesses, nothing too extravagant. Surely that means we can go a bit crazy on the work party outfit, right? I think sequins do just that - they're fancy, they're fun and everyone will be able to spot you! That's not a bad thing, trust me. There is no better time for bonding with the big boss than a good Xmas party - preferably just before everyone gets a little too drunk though.

The slogan t-shirt can be a good way to make your look less formal and a lot more fun. Mix it up with some cigarette trousers & a blazer to avoid that shirt dependency we all get stuck to during the work week. Go all-in on the colours, but you can never go wrong with white.

I have two unbreakable rules in life - never wake up before 9am on a Saturday and never repeat an outfit. The first one I think should be in the bible really; the second one I agree may seem a little excessive. But when I say outfit, I actually mean a whole exact look and not, by all means, a piece of clothing. A few years ago, I used to spend my last penny on that statement piece that would just make an outfit. And then I realised after wearing it once, it was never the same - never felt as good in it as when I bought it. This actually makes me a freak because I barely wear any dresses - as I can't repeat them - but it also made me see that a good wardrobe should have a few statement pieces, yes, but ultimately should be made of must-haves that you can coordinate in a million different ways. This doesn't make me shop any less but it does make me a lot happier.

So here are the key must-have things you need in your work wardrobe:

THE BLAZER

It can be black, white, navy, long, short, loose or waist-fitted. But you've got to have one. Or 3. I personally am a fan of long oversized blazers, a bit tomboy like - they're still chic, office-like but a bit more stylish. I have a white, a black and a grey one. All from Zara, mainly on sales. Run.

Cliché, right? Yeah I know but it has to be said. When you don't know what else in the world to wear to work, this babe will save you big time. And no, these two items don't have to be the ugly suit type thing our mums used to wear 15 years ago. There are skirts and there are blazers - they do not and should not match.

Ok I agree this one doesn't necessarily fit everyone. If god blessed you with generous thighs as opposed to my jelly belly, then I would stick with the skinny black jeans - they can be just as elegant and appropriate and you won't look like you have a potato sack on your bum. But if you're into the cigarette trousers, then go nuts on the colours.

I'm not huge on heels but I do love all kinds of ankle boots (velvet, suede, silver, anything goes). And these are my best friends in London because I refuse to walk 35 miles in painful heels. Or 5 really. But from spring to autumn, a cool pair of flats can make the perfect look. My favourites are my black pointy flats with a gold tiger on top. Not as weird it sounds.

All accessories strengthen the look but earrings are my favourites. Gold, silver, coloured, long, short, crazy. That day when you'll be in a black jumper and jeans because everything else was just blhec, they'll make your day.